READING FOR JANUARY 22, 2025: JOSHUA 24, JOHN 14, PSALM 145:10-21 JOSHUA 24 Joshua gathered all the people to Shechem (in Ephraim) to hear a message from God, which Joshua conveyed. God wanted to place this important transitional moment in the larger context of His interaction with Israel over hundreds of years. In fact, we cannot live effectively today, January 22, 2025, unless we consider God’s interaction with mankind beginning with creation, through the fall, the incarnation (Jesus’s birth), the cross, the resurrection, the early church (the New Testament) and up until now. We are part of a much larger picture than our little lifespan.
We are reminded that Abraham’s father lived beyond the Euphrates River and served other gods. But God took Abraham out of that situation and forged the nation of Israel. So has God, through Jesus, taken us out the Kingdom of this world to be part of His Kingdom, if we have received Him as Savior and Lord. God reminded Israel of His efforts on their behalf in Egypt, the wilderness, and in the promised land. Through this entire recitation, the focus is entirely on what God has done and not on any heroic efforts of the people. This goes for us. It isn’t and can never be that we are saved and go to heaven because of our good works. We must trust 100% upon what God has done for us by dying for our sins and rising from the grave: “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Eph. 2:8-9).
The last part of this chapter includes a remarkable dialogue between Joshua and the people. In verse 19 he pessimistically predicts the people won’t be able to serve the Lord because they will copy practices of those who serve other gods. The people, however, commit to serving God. Joshua tells them to remember this commitment, which they promise to do. Joshua puts a large stone under an oak tree to commemorate that promise. Then Joshua died and was buried in his plot in Ephraim. Joseph’s bones were buried near Jacob’s at Shechem, and Eleazar the priest was buried in Ephraim. Lots of folks ended up in Ephraim. Verse 31 states that Israel did indeed remain faithful to God throughout the lives of those elders living at that time.
JOHN 14 What word comes to your mind when you think of the writings of John? The first word which often comes to mind is love because John (who referred to himself as the disciple Jesus loved) speaks so much about love. He uses the word love, in its various forms, almost sixty times as he writes about the life of Jesus. In fact, the entire life and ministry of Jesus is a demonstration of God’s love (John 3:16). As we read of the Jesus’ actions and accompanying words at the foot washing (ch 13) and the “farewell discourses” of Jesus (chs 14-16) we can feel Jesus’ love for his followers. He is so tender with them; his instruction so reassuring. He knows he is going away and as much as he has tried to prepare them, he also knows they don’t yet understand what is about to happen. They won’t be able to understand until they look back after Jesus’ resurrection and ascension with the help of the Holy Spirit (12:16, 13:7).
READING FOR JANUARY 22, 2025 CONTINUED: JOHN 14, PSALM 145:10-21
So, he loves them now by preparing them, by telling them again and again that though he is going away, he will return. (14:18 & 28; 16:16-22). Like a parent leaving their child with a sitter or a teacher preparing to leave their classroom to a substitute, Jesus spelled out for the disciples: I am going away, but I will be back. I won’t forget you. I have made provision; I am still acting for your good, but I will be away for a while. You’ll likely be afraid, but take courage, I will be back. I will return to be with you and will one day take you to be with me.
The other word that stands out in the book of John is Father. John uses the word father 121 times to refer to God. It was his relationship with the Father that gave Jesus his identity and purpose. Jesus knew that His Father was one who loves. After describing Himself as the good Shepherd, Jesus said, “Therefore My Father loves Me . . .” (10:17). Love is the nature of the Father! God is love and Jesus lived his life cognizant of the fact that our Father is one who loves! He remained firmly in that loving relationship by joyfully obeying his Father and he desired for his followers to do the same (14:21,23; 15:9-10; 16:27).
Jesus knew that His Father is generous of spirit. When he taught the Jews about true manna he said, “Moses did not give you the bread from heaven, but My Father gives you the true bread from heaven” (6:32). Jesus lived on this earth confidently knowing that His personal Father is a generous giver. And of course, “For this is how God loved the world: he gave his one and only Son. . .” (3:16) God is generous and loves by giving his people what they need. Jesus understood this and relied on it in such a way that he lived fearlessly, without anxiety – even in these final chapters as he calmly shepherded his flock toward the crucifixion.
Jesus knew His Father in a way no other one has ever known Him. He is a righteous Father (17:25) and a holy Father (17:11). He is one who seeks men to worship Him in spirit and in truth (4:23-24). He is a Father who works in the lives of men (5:17) and one who should be honored (8:49). The Father’s ways are good, and living according to his will is nourishing to our lives (4:34). God’s ways are not mysterious, for Jesus has made them known to us (15:15; 17:7-8). Jesus knew that his Father was near – no further away than the people Jesus was with. Notice how Jesus often is addressing the people around him and then simply looks up and addresses his Father knowing that his Father is always nearby and always attentive (11:41, 12:28, 17:1)
How do you know our Father? The way we view God determines how we serve Him. How do you see the God you serve? The right way to think of God is to think of Him as Jesus did. He saw Jesus as a Father. He saw Him as a personal, loving, generous, righteous Father always nearby. Remember, Jesus’ Father is our Father! Let’s finish John’s gospel asking the Holy Spirit to help us come to know our good Father like Jesus knew him so that we may live joyfully with him like Jesus did. For ”no one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.” (John 1:18)
(Some of these thoughts were adapted from “Jesus and the Father in the Book of John”, https://tinyurl.com/4vxy826w)
PSALM 145:10-21 Notice the artistic Hebraic parallelism throughout these verses. In verses 10-12 we are reminded of Psalm 19 and Romans 1 that the entire creation praises God, such as today’s beautiful snowfall. Do we perceive this creational praise? Verse 13 assures us that though the Babylonian, Persian, Roman, and even British Empires eventually fell, God’s Kingdom will never end. God, through His Gospel, offers all eternal citizenship in His Kingdom. Those of us getting older, are rightly concerned about falling. How comforting to know God will always support us when we do (vs.14-16). He is righteous, kind, near, forthcoming, per-- ceptive, watchful to all who love him but an unbeatable foe to those who reject Him (vs. 17-21).
